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Gausman allows three runs in final spring start

3/25/13: Nick Markakis joins the broadcast to discuss his health, the Orioles' 2012 run, the roster composition and the outlook for 2013

By Rhett Bollinger
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MLB.com |

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Josh Willingham homered and Chris Parmelee and Wilkin Ramirez both doubled twice and had three hits to lead the Twins to a 9-5 win over the Orioles on Tuesday at Hammond Stadium.

Willingham's solo shot off Orioles right-hander Tommy Hunter gave the Twins a 4-3 lead in a four-run fifth inning. It was Willingham's third homer of the spring.

The Twins got on the board first with two runs in the third against Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman, who was Baltimore's first-round choice in last year's First-Year Player Draft. It is expected the team's No. 2 prospect will be sent to the Minors in the next couple days.

Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs, started the inning off with an RBI triple to score Parmelee before Brian Dozier brought Hicks home with a single to left.

The Orioles tied it with two runs in the fourth thanks to an error by shortstop Pedro Florimon, which scored J.J. Hardy and Nate McLouth, who was 3-for-3 with three runs.

The runs came off reliever Alex Burnett, who replaced Twins starter Liam Hendriks after he left the game with a bruised right hand. The right-hander suffered the injury on a line drive from Brian Roberts after pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He is considered day to day.

Ramirez gave the Twins a 3-2 lead with an RBI double in the fourth, but Matt Wieters tied it with a solo shot in the fifth off reliever Casey Fien. It was his fifth homer of the spring.

The Twins broke it open with a four-run fourth that started with Willingham's solo blast. Miguel Sano had an RBI single, Parmelee added an RBI double and Ramirez brought home a run on an RBI groundout.

Nolan Reimold's RBI double in the sixth made it 7-4, and Steve Pearce had an RBI single in the ninth to close the scoring.

Nick Markakis, playing in his first game since March 1 due to an injured neck, went 1-for-5 with a single as the Orioles' designated hitter. Markakis, who hit leadoff, is expected to play right field on Wednesday night against the Yankees.

Up next: Right-hander Jair Jurrjens will get the start in Wednesday night's game against the Yankees in Sarasota. Jurrjens will be opposed by right-hander David Phelps, with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m. ET. The game can be watched live on MLB.TV.